Back-to-school shopping can quickly become one of the biggest seasonal expenses for families, especially when school supply lists seem to grow every year. Parents with money saved in a 529 plan sometimes assume those funds can cover nearly every education-related purchase, only to discover that’s not always the case. While 529 plans offer valuable tax advantages for qualified education expenses, many everyday back-to-school costs fall outside those rules. Understanding what is and isn’t typically covered can help families avoid unexpected taxes or penalties while making smarter financial decisions.
